The Hindu : New Delhi News : `Satyagrah' against delay in passing Lok Pal Bill

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Nov 30, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

`Satyagrah' against delay in passing Lok Pal Bill

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, NOV. 29. A large number of freedom-fighters, senior citizens and youths will launch a "satyagrah" near Mahatma Gandhi's "samadhi" at Raj Ghat to protest against the continued failure of successive governments to pass the Lok Pal Bill for the past 36 years that has "resulted in progressive criminalisation of politics". Being organised by social organisation, Lok Sevak Sangh, and supported by other similar forums including the All India Freedom-Fighters Samiti, the protest will see a large number of concerned citizens taking part in a relay fast in support of the Bill from December 1.

Announcing that the protest, to coincide with Parliament's winter session, would continue till December 23, the Sangh's chairman, S.D. Sharma, who took part in 1942's Quit India Movement, said if the Government failed in introducing the Lok Pal Bill after the recess of the winter session, four Sangh leaders -- Avdesh Kumar, K.P. Sahu, Omkar Razdan and himself -- would go on fast-unto-death to "redeem their pledge to the people of India who stand crushed under the burden of the corrupt and criminal elements in Indian politics".

Stating that the Sangh has already written to the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, the Chairperson of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance, Sonia Gandhi, all Union Ministers and all Members of both Houses of Parliament to immediately get the Bill passed, Mr. Sharma said the failure of give successive Prime Ministers to honour their pledge given to the people that the Lok Pal Bill would be legislated in their tenure had compelled the Sangh volunteers to sacrifice their lives.

According to Mr. Sharma, the continued and deliberate delay in the institution of the Lok Pal had undermined the probity of public life.

There were about 40 tainted MPs in the 13th Lok Sabha and in the present 14th Lok Sabha, there were about 100 tainted MPs among whom six have been made Ministers in the Manmohan Singh Government.

The Lok Sevak Sangh has demanded immediate appointment of an effective three-member Lok Pal by introducing necessary legislation in the forthcoming session.

It has also asked the Government to accept the Election Commission's recommendations banning tainted persons from contesting polls and also accept recommendation of the Law Commission of India in the form of Draft Bill titled "The Corrupt Public Servants (Forfeiture of Property) Bill".

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